Doug Griffin

9.4

Nose: One of the most captivating Chardonnays I’ve encountered. Enticing layers of lemon tart, ripe lychee, fragrant perfume, and a distinctive touch of holy basil.
Palate: Medium-bodied yet intensely flavorful, bursting with bright lemon curd, silky cream, and toasted notes. The acidity is vibrant and refreshing, keeping everything lively. Oak is present and supportive, adding structure without ever overpowering the fruit. — 24 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

Not the champagne I had in mind for tonight, but sometimes circumstances play their part.

This is pleasant enough. It will go well with my almond tart later.

The mouthfeel shows nice mousse, somewhat lively acidity, bruised golden/red/green apple to apple sauce, bruised pear, white citrus blend-grapefruit w/ pith leading, quince, touch of brown sugar, some yeastiness, baguette crust, graham cracker, volcanic minerals w/ clay, white spice, caramel notes, vanillin, sea spray, grippy, grainy chalk, sea fossils-oysters, limestone marl, withering lilies, spring flowers, nice acidity and a well balanced, good length, elegant finish that lasts nearly 90 second and lands on mid intensity minerals and spice.

Photos of; the champagne house of Veuve Clicqoit and the widow herself. You see her under the metal gage and plated over the cork.

#DSLounge — 5 months ago

Brian S

9.1

For the price this bottle of Chardonnay is tough to beat all organic and biodynamic as well. — 7 months ago

Peter James

9.0

BHM Wine Tasting @ Netflix — 3 years ago

LM Segal

9.6

So pure and multi-layered with that cotton candy thing on the tail…just phenomenal. — 4 years ago

Rafael Landestoy

9.4

It’s been forever since I last posted but this is an appropriate wine to start posting again. First time having this well balanced, elegant pinot. — 6 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.2

It’s been too long since I’ve paid a visit to this house, but now I’m reminded why I enjoy it so much. Certainly pays homage to the Krug style I do enjoy. More body, density, and opulence. Drinks rich and complex. — 7 years ago

with Becca, Taryne and 1 other

Ted

8.9

Wait is this thing working?? Seems to be. Typical NZ SB. No complaints. — a month ago

with Jeni

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Arras — Blanc de Blancs 2013
Tasmania, Australia 🇦🇺

Overview
A 100% Chardonnay traditional-method sparkling wine sourced broadly across Tasmania, aged extensively on lees for over five years prior to release, delivering depth, autolytic complexity, and finely tuned balance. Cool-climate fruit precision meets long cellar maturation for serious Champagne-caliber structure and finesse.

Aromas & Flavors
Expressive notes of toasted brioche, lemon curd, baked apple, almond pastry, and subtle chalky minerality lead the nose. Layers of fresh citrus peel, pear skin, and gentle hazelnut evolve with air, framed by savory yeast complexity and restrained creaminess. The palate delivers precision rather than sweetness, with purity and tension driving the finish.

Mouthfeel
Creamy yet lifted, with fine, persistent mousse and beautifully integrated autolytic weight. The texture feels polished and expansive without heaviness, supported by vibrant acidity that keeps the wine energetic, linear, and refreshingly dry through the finish.

Food Pairings
Oysters and shellfish. Butter-poached lobster or scallops. Parmesan risotto. Roast chicken with herbs. Triple-cream cheeses or aged Comté.

Verdict
A compelling expression of New World traditional-method excellence, delivering maturity, balance, and serious structural integrity. Rich without excess, nostalgic in its yeast-driven complexity, and confidently positioned alongside high-quality grower Champagne.

Did You Know?
Tasmania’s cool maritime climate and long growing season allow Chardonnay to retain high natural acidity while achieving full phenolic ripeness, making the region one of Australia’s strongest candidates for world-class traditional-method sparkling wines.

🍷 Personal Pick
Blanc de Blancs is my home base, and this bottle absolutely delivers. The autolytic depth, precision, and balance hit exactly the profile I love, serious, expressive, and quietly luxurious. A sparkling wine that rewards attention, not just celebration. — 5 months ago

Jenks

9.3

Brickhouse’s flagship Pinot, estate fruit, best barrels. Integrated tannin, cherry fruit, some savory forest notes, enjoyed over a several hours without food and the last glass was the best. Worth the wait, I dig it. — 2 years ago

Andy Hall

9.4

Terrific. Opened this to make sure it wasn’t baked from a shipping issue. Obviously it wasn’t but I am amazed how approachable this wine is at such a tender age. 5 more years of bottle age and this will be a stunner! — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The White Burgundy was excellent but, still have to have my BSR 375ml. It’s been awhile for us.

It is a little better tonight following the Burgundy & soft white cheese.

The nose on this bottle really flows out of the glass tonight. Beautiful lean fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, cherries, strawberries, watermelon near the rind, blood orange, orange & tangerine & some pomegranate. Crisp volcanic minerals, saline, sea fossils, baguette crust, vanillin, whiff of caramel, soft white spice, pink flowers and rose pedals.

Everything on the palate sings just a little louder tonight as well. Fruits are even a little richer than normal. Ripe & slightly gummy not as normal leaner fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, cherries, strawberries, watermelon near the rind, blood orange, orange & tangerine & some pomegranate. Crisp and grippy, volcanic minerals, beautiful softer, powdery chalkiness w/o quite the sharper edge it normally has, soft, hints of Provence herbs, saline, sea fossils, baguette crust, vanillin, whiff of caramel, soft white spice, pink flowers and rose pedals. The acidity is crisp, lively and dead on as alway. The long, rich, well balanced finish is deliciously refreshing and persists minutes.

Photos of; one of their Grand Cru Vineyards at sunset & inside and the Estate grounds of the House of Billecart, — 6 years ago

Stephen Fitzpatrick

9.0

Very interesting and unique Willamette Pinot. Cherry, spice, and heavy earthy aromas on the initial opening. Allow time to breathe so it can fully open up. Slightly chewy for a Pinot, but immensely flavorful and full bodied. — 3 months ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

This had aged into something quite elegant. Only 13.3%, it’s got some fruit still but is quite “claret” like. I love how old school this is. — 4 months ago

with Dan and Angelo

David White

9.0

Nice Central Otago Pinot,
Strawberry and raspberry on the nose and palate with good acidity and balance.
Flavours evolving and long lasting finish. — 6 months ago

Sean Townley

9.0

Some funk up front. Better on day 2 — 6 months ago

with Mairead

Teresa Teixeira

9.6

2021 not to dry perfect — 3 years ago

Simon lemmens

9.2

Zwarte bessen, stevige body, klein zoetje in afdronk. Heerlijk met stoofvlees. — 5 years ago

"Odedi"

9.1

A very tasty Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Showing black fruits with cedar, vanilla, leather, spices, earth, chocolates, tobacco and herbs.

Bone dry on the palate, and full bodied with medium acidity.

Needs time to open up properly.
Still young and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly.

Wine Advocate 92 points.

Spicy and tangy finish with firm tannins.

14.2% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$43. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

@Plate & Bottle Dinner

Dessert Course, Warm Berry Cobbler, House Made Vanilla, Lemon Verbena Ice Cream.

Amazing dessert. Pairing the cobbler with the Ruinart Rosé and the Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve as well. Both good/appropriate for the dual aspects of the cobbler.

Dessert has blackberries and raspberries with lemon and crumble on top (tiny bit of cinnamon) and vanilla lemon verbena ice cream. There are flavors here that call for Rosé & Blanc de Blanc Champange.

Photos of, the dinner & our friends Jeff & Hedy beautiful backyard. — 7 years ago